The Little Things Newsletter #494 – Life, laughter, and lots of great food!

Web Admin 0 8 Article rating: No rating

Welcome to the weekend, my friends! My day started with a beautiful foggy drive, yoga, and then a giant brunch for my boys and some of their friends. This easy bacon, cheesy scrambled eggs, and a mountain of fluffy waffles added up to full bellies and happy smiles as they split off to either head for synagogue or to the gym. (Yes, teenage boys can apparently eat stacks of waffles and then immediately go workout. That is soooo not my world.)

ON THE BLOGS THIS WEEK: Roasting sausage with peppers and onions isn’t complicated. It’s not trendy. But, this Super Easy Sausage and Peppers is 100% absolutely that dish.

You know the feeling. You’ve got maybe 10 minutes before everyone starts asking for dinner, and you need something fast, hearty, and actually satisfying. That’s exactly when I reach for this Southwest Chicken Soup. 10 minutes, friends. And yes, I’ve timed it.

Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes are proof that a little extra preparation goes a long, long way. The secret? It takes less than a minute with a chef’s knife. Your guests will rave about these crispy edges, loaded with fresh parmesan cheese and Italian parsley.

This Confetti Rice has been declared the best rice we’ve ever made. Yes. I said that. I served it with Crispy Italian Oven Chicken and the whole meal was a win.

Have you tried a mayonnaise cake? I know, it sounds suspicious at first. As it turns out, Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake is actually an old-fashioned recipe that was likely in your grandmother’s recipe box. And, fortunately, it has stood the test of time quite well. This is one fantastic cake.

Isn’t fall baking season just the best? Rich and full of warm spices, topped with the irresistible, buttery crunch of pecan streusel, this Pumpkin Crunch Dump Cake just might be the easiest, most tantalizing dessert to come out of your oven this year.

Mascarpone Ice Cream is velvety and rich like gelato, but has that cheesecake-like tang that makes each bite feel absolutely indulgent. This is not one of those cottage cheese rip offs that you have to convince yourself tastes good. There’s no going back from this kind of dreamy decadence.

What I’m CRAVING: This Mac and Cheese with Salami looks sooo good! My mouth is watering and I’m craving that cheesy goodness today. My guys love salami anytime I include it in a meal, so

Peanut Butter Blossom Bars

Web Admin 0 11 Article rating: No rating
a baking pan of baked peanut butter blossom bars each topped with a melty hersheys kiss

My peanut butter blossoms are everyone’s classic holiday cookie in bar form! Our kids love that they’re both fun and easy to make! These chewy peanut butter cookie bars are studded with Hershey kisses which make everyone so happy.

My favorite part is that they are easier than cookies; no rolling needed, just slice into bars and serve! Bonus, this recipe includes a how-to video!

Our son was begging for us to make “those Hershey kiss cookies” but I had been running around all day and though it may sound silly, the thought of rolling out every single cookie sounded exhausting; so I made them all in a pan and they turned out adorably delicious!!

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Blossom Cookie Bars

  • Peanut Butter: that classic nutty flavor and creamy richness we all love.
  • Unsalted Butter: keeps the bars soft and melt-in-your-mouth.
  • Sugar and Brown Sugar: sweetness plus a little caramel depth for chewiness.
  • Vanilla: ties all the flavors together.
  • Egg and Egg Yolk: hold everything together while adding tenderness.
  • Flour: gives the bars structure so they bake up just right.
  • Baking Soda and Baking Powder: the lift that keeps them light instead of dense.
  • Cornstarch: the secret to that soft, chewy bite.
  • Salt: just enough to balance the sweetness.
  • Hershey’s Kisses: the signature chocolate topper that makes them taste (and look!) like the classic blossom cookies we all grew up with.

How to Make Peanut Butter Blossom Bars

  1. Prep: Preheat the oven and grease a 9×13 baking dish then line with parchment paper and grease it again.
  2. Wet Ingredients: Beat together all the wet ingredients in a stand mixer.
  3. Dry Ingredients: Mix together all the dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
  4. Combine: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
  5. Bake: Press the dough into the prepared baking dish, sprinkle with sugar and bake for 20-22 minutes.
  6. Kisses: Unwrap the Hershey’s Kisses and as soon as the bars are done baking, pull them out and top with the kisses.
  7. Cool: Let the peanut butter bars cool completely and then cut into bars so that a Hershey Kiss is in the center of each bar.

Fun Variation

If you want to try another fun twist, use mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups instead of the Hershey’s Kisses. You double down on the peanut butter while still getting the chocolate! My family loves both!

Read more

Mascarpone Ice Cream

Web Admin 0 15 Article rating: No rating

Mascarpone Ice Cream is velvety and rich like gelato, but has that cheesecake-like tang that makes each bite feel absolutely indulgent. This is not one of those cottage cheese rip offs that you have to convince yourself tastes good. There’s no going back from this kind of dreamy decadence.

A close up shot of a serving of Mascarpone Ice Cream in a black ceramic bowl on a wooden table.

Mascarpone Ice Cream

I tried a few different ways to develop this recipe. At first, I thought this would need to be a custard-based ice cream, made with eggs. But, the results of that attempt were actually my least favorite. The texture wasn’t super smooth, and you could totally taste the eggs. The mascarpone was too subtle.

I’m glad that I stuck with it, though. Because it turns out that the simple combination of mascarpone, condensed milk, cream, and milk resulted in a perfectly smooth and creamy, barely tangy ice cream that kept me coming back for more. I was in paradise.

This ice cream is perfect for pairing with fruits. That should come as no surprise. Because fresh fruit and cheese just go together. Always. But, I like to kick it up a notch with grilled peaches, a warm berry sauce, or even a baked apple. Drizzle some salted caramel sauce on top, and you can put a fork in me. I’m done.

The most popular question I get is whether it’s possible to make ice cream without a machine. The answer is YES. You can make ice cream without a machine. Find the full directions here!

A picture of a freezer safe container full of luscious ice cream on a wooden tabletop. A wooden handled ice cream scoop has a ball of ice cream in the foreground.

What is Mascarpone?

Mascarpone is an Italian cream cheese. Not the kind you put on bagels. It’s richer, softer, and less tangy. This is the cheese you find in tiramisu and certain frostings. Think of it as Phil

Whipped Cream Cream Cheese Frosting

Web Admin 0 12 Article rating: No rating
a photo of a chocolate cupcake topped with a piped stack of whipped cream cream cheese frosting

Whipped Cream Cream Cheese Frosting is a dreamy blend of rich, tangy cream cheese and light, fluffy whipped cream. Silky and smooth with just the right hint of sweetness, it’s the perfect topping for cakes, cupcakes, and fruit.

Ingredients for Cream Cheese Whipped Cream Frosting

You only need 5 ingredients to make this easy whip cream frosting with cream cheese. Here is what you’ll need:

  • Heavy Whipping Cream
  • Cream Cheese
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Salt
  • Vanilla Extract

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Make Whip Cream Cream Cheese Frosting

Want the creamiest, fluffiest frosting ever? Whip up whipped cream, beat cream cheese until smooth and add a little powdered sugar to sweeten things up. This Cream Cheese Whipped Cream Frosting is the lightest, and most delicious frosting ever! Here are the steps in a little more details:

  1. Beat: Add the whipping cream to a mixing bowl and beat until stiff peaks form.
  2. Combine: In a separate bowl, add the cream cheese, powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla and mix until well combined and smooth.
  3. Fold: Add the whipped cream to the cream cheese mixture and fold in until well combined.

The recipe card at the end of the post contains all the information you need to make this recipe. The photos below show each step of the recipe.

Can This Frosting Be Colored?

Yes absolutely! We prefer to use food coloring gel for the best color. Adding food dye to the frosting makes it perfect for any festive occasion…holidays, baby showers, Superbowl parties, graduations, etc.

How to Use This Frosting

Whip cream and cream cheese frosting goes great on op of cupcakes and cakes of course. It also make a delicious dip for fruit. There’s no reason to stop there either! Use it on cheesecake or pie too! It’s so creamy with a slight tanginess, perfect for just about any dessert!

Storage Tips

Unused frosting should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for up to 5 days. When you are ready to use it again, you’ll want to let it sit at room temperature for few minutes so it will become spreadable again.

This quick and easy recipe for whip cream and cream cheese frosting is the perfect addition to your favorite cakes and cupcakes. With just a

My Secret to the Best Oven Roasted Prime Rib Recipe

Web Admin 0 16 Article rating: No rating
garlic prime rib on a platter

When I say this is the absolute best prime rib recipe, I mean it! This prime rib roast turns out melt-in-your-mouth tender every single time, with that perfect crust on the outside and juicy, flavorful center.

Whether you’re cooking for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, a special celebration, or just because you’re craving something incredible, this foolproof method will walk you through every step with confidence with lots of tips, tricks, things to avoid and the secret for making it the most flavorful!

Cade and I have tested this recipe for years to make sure it’s as easy and reliable as it is impressive—and trust me, once you try it, you’ll never make prime rib any other way.

Why This Prime Rib is the Best

I don’t know what it is about prime rib, but you throw that out there and people seriously come running.

Foolproof: If you follow the instructions step by step, you’ll get a perfect prime rib every time!

Texture: It is tender, melt-in-your-mouth, juicy with a delicious crust on the outside.

Flavor: The ingredients are so simple but the flavor is next level. Just salt, pepper, butter and garlic is all you need to compliment the deep beefy flavor of the prime rib.

Showstopper: You’ve invested some money into this cut of meat, let’s make it the showstopper of your holiday feast!

What is Prime Rib?

Standing Rib Roast and Prime Rib Roast are the same exact same thing. It’s just that different people call them different things. A prime rib is a cut of beef from the primal rib, one of the nine cuts of beef. While the entire rib section comprises ribs six through twelve, a standing rib roast may contain anywhere from two to seven ribs, just depending on what you buy as there are options!

Ingredients You’ll Need

People love the tender, mouthwatering beef but for me that’s not even the best part. I’m all about the outside. It’s all caramelized and packed full of flavor. I’m telling you, it’s like the burnt ends on a brisket. It’s so, so good!!!! Here is everything you’ll need to deliver that flavor:

  • Standing Rib Roast, Prime Rib: The star cut—rich, juicy, and tender.
  • Kosher Salt: Draws out moisture and seasons deeply.
  • Black Pepper: Enhances flavor and adds warmth.
  • Butter: Build an aromatic crust.
  • Garlic: Helps crisp the exterior while keeping it juicy.

Seems too simple, right?! Now let’s see how it’s done…

How to Cook Prime Rib (Step-by-Step)

I’ve shared very detailed instructions on the best w

RSS
245678910Last